Astana begin using HED wheels: "We’re thrilled to be supplying them"

After the arrival of Mark Cavendish saw the Astana Qazaqstan Team embroiled in a sunglasses supplier controversy, it seems the team has now also changed their wheel supplier with riders seen on bikes with flashy HED wheels.

"Astana are riding our wheels and we’re thrilled to be supplying them," HED told Cycling News, confirming that they are indeed supplying the Kazakhstani-based set-up. "There are always riders here and there, time trialling on our products but it has been a while since we had an entire Pro Tour team on our wheels. We’re a small company doing our own manufacturing, and supplying a whole team is a big commitment."

It's understood that Astana's switch from former supplier Corima, is due to the team looking for aerodynamic improvement and a better tubeless option. "Initially the team approached us looking for more aerodynamic wheel options for TT, and we built and sent several Vanquish disc/Vanquish 8 sets to them in early spring," HED explained. "After some testing, they requested mass start wheels as well."

The striking new wheels stand out due to their HED lettering, coloured in the trademark Astana blue that adorns them. When asked what the thought process was behind the design of the wheels... "Because we can, and they look cool," they reply.